Giving to those who gave

ALTON — Alton American Legion Post 354 participated this year for the first time in the Gifts To The Yanks Who Gave program. It is appropriate they chose Dec. 7 to honor the veterans who have defended the country and kept the nation free.

This Dec. 7 was the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The surprise attack on the naval fleet harbored in Hawaii brought the United States into World War II and led to a galvanization of national spirit that has shaped American history ever since.

The Yanks program delivers holiday gifts to veterans at extended care facilities. Post Commander Joe Brice says gifts were delivered this year to about three dozen veterans at Eunice Smith Home and Rosewood Care Center in Alton as well as Integrity Healthcare in Godfrey.

The Yanks program was instituted in 1944 to recognize and thank veterans who reside at extended care facilities across the nation. The program has been continually supported by the national American Legion organization since its inception.

“We visited the facilities in person earlier in the year to get the names of the veterans,” Brice says. “People made donations throughout the year to collection canisters we placed in various locations around the local area.”

He says the collected donations were sent to the national Yanks program, which purchased the gifts and returned them to the local post for distribution. Gifts included games, socks and winter apparel.

Brice and post member Mike Holliday Sr. distributed gifts personally to 12 veterans at the Eunice Smith Home. The recipients of the gifts there were Army and Air Force veterans from the World War II, Korean War and Iraq War eras.

The veterans gathered in groups where the gifts were presented. Brice explained to the gathering the appreciation the nation has for the services and sacrifices these veterans have made for our country.

Susan Tomlin, activity assistant at Eunice Smith, explains how much the recipients valued the gifts.

“I had talked to them about it that morning,” she says. “They were looking forward to it.”

She says some of the veterans had lost loved ones or friends in the wars and that the gifts recognizing their service had special meaning for them.

“They really appreciated it,” she says.

Brice says Post 354 has about 25 members on its roster and is dedicated to helping veterans through the Yanks program and other activities. He explains the American Legion can connect them with resources available to them because of their service.

“A lot of veterans do not know or understand what they are entitled to,” he says.